the burning crows
7. July 2015 By Walter Price 0

The Burning Crows Murder At The Gin House

the burning crows bandMurder At The Gin House is so good it might just be a game-changer for The Burning Crows…

by Maria Haskins

 

British band The Burning Crows are back with an album that is so hot, it might just set your speakers on fire. The band’s Pledge-funded releaseMurder At The Gin House is a rock’n’roll marvel: serving up a brew of classic rock sounds from the 70s, some shiny 80s hair band glory, a taste of sleaze rocking fire, a bit of soul, and a hard rocking edge – creating an original and highly satisfying musical feast.

The Burning Crows released a rather fantastic album called Behind The Veil a couple of years ago, but Murder At The Gin House easily tops the debut and puts the band on a whole other level. This is a polished and well-crafted release with hooks and gloss a-plenty, yet still capturing the band’s wild and wicked live-energy.

Murder At The Gin House kicks into high gear right away with the swaggering, strutting ‘Hell To Pay’, blazing with teasing-pleasing guitars, and singer Whippz’ vocals – strong and expressive with that hint of roughness that gives it just the right rock’n’roll feel.

The band follows that up with the hooky, irresistible rocker ‘Come On’ – anchored by a sweet, heavy bassline, the burning crowsand capturing a sort of golden-era Bon Jovi-sound while adding some real edge and attitude. Next up is the swinging, infectious rock’n’roll goodness of ‘Shine’; and the outstanding track ‘Alright’ – just sparking with guitar energy and defiance.

Kick-ass power ballad ‘Goodbye (To The Sunshine)’ gives the band a chance to show off a slightly softer side and some passionate vocals and guitar-work, before firing up the hard-rocking hotness of ’11:37′ and delivering some raucous, rollicking riff-magic on ‘Little Bit More’.

‘She’s The Summertime’ is a goosebump-inducing track with a shiny-happy classic rock sound – bringing you the best of the 80s, jolted by a big shot of the band’s fiery soulfulness.

One of my favourite tunes here is ‘Feels Like Home’ – a party-fuel track that ramps and amps things up with speeding riffs, a catchy as hell chorus, and the kind of raw energy that will pump up any crowd: “one more shot of whiskey, one more shot of wine“. Also: the guitar-work on this track is spectacular.

Closing track ‘Holding On’ is a beautiful piece of music, adding some strings and orchestra, and revealing some real tenderness in both the music and the vocals.

Murder At The Gin House is so good it might just be a game-changer for The Burning Crows, and maybe it already has changed the game for them. As I was preparing this review, I read that the release date has just been pushed back to August 3rd because of all the buzz the album is generating. The pledgers who helped the band make Murder At The Gin House happen will still have their albums on July 6th, and everyone else should mark their calendar for this release. I believe this is an album that will show up on more than a few “Best of 2015″ lists at the end of the year.

 

The Burning Crows Website / Facebook / Twitter

Band photo courtesy of Simon Watson Photography & Live music photography by John Newstead with make up by Amy Norton Make Up Artistry.

Lineup:

  • Whippz – Vocals & Guitars
  • Lance Daniels – Guitars & Backing Vocals
  • Will Lockett – Bass & Backing Vocals
  • Chris Chapman – Drums & Percussion

Track-list:

  1. Hell To Pay
  2. Come On
  3. Shine
  4. Alright
  5. Goodbye (To The Sunshine)
  6. 1137
  7. Little Bit More
  8. She’s The Summertime
  9. Feels Like Home
  10. Holding On

Maria Haskins’ Real Rock And Roll: Website / Twitter / Facebook

 

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